Influence Of Social Organization Office On Successful Completion Of Women’s Group Projects In Katulani District, Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the influence of social organization office on successful completion of women’s group projects in Katulani district, Kitui County, Kenya. This study was designed to fulfill five objectives: influence of characteristics of women’s group on completion of the groups’ projects, influence of presence of social organizations office on women’s group project completion, influence of role of social organization’s office in community development on women’s group project completion, influence of capacity building support from social organization’s officers on women’s group project completion rate and influence of women groups’ project planning and management process on group projects’ completion rate. The study may be significant in the attempt to unearth women groups in making correct choices on the income generating activities they engage in. The study was delimited only to Katulani District and to formal women groups with membership of either 20 or more than 20 members and leadership structure comprising of at least 10 officials. The researcher adopted a descriptive survey research design and targeted a population of two thousand one hundred and thirty women group members within the two hundred and thirteen women’s groups in Katulani district. Out of the possible 2130 study population a sample of 220 women group’s members were selected through purposive sampling technique. The study used structured questionnaires and interviews as the main tools of data collection. Data was analyzed using a scientific calculator and presented by use of frequency distribution tables, percentages and mean values. The findings were discussed according to the study objectives and the reviewed literature of the study. The results of the study showed that majority of projects are in business and agricultural sectors. That, the majority of the groups projects had officials obtained through an election and a few on appointment. The study further shows that the groups are registered by the social organization office after they have enough members who come up with a constitution and elect an executive. The study showed that project members play a role in identification, planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects. Majority of members agreed that most of the projects have solved communities' problems and have/will meet their project objectives. The study further showed that the women groups’ projects were successful and there was considerable participation by the social organizations office. They attributed this success of women groups’ projects to proper identification, planning, implementation and monitoring of projects by the social organization office. The study findings will be used in policy formulation to empower women through encouraging them to seek for technical advice when they engage in projects management. The study proposes further research on the role of the women groups' members in successful completion of project in Katulani district and the role of education of executive in successful implementation. Findings obtained in this study, can be used in policy formulation of women empowerment policies and improvement of the social organization office participation in the management of women group projects in the country. The study finally suggested further research to be carried on the role of the women groups' members in successful group project completion in similar geopolitical districts. Further studies on the role of education of the women group’s executive officials in project planning, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to enhance successful timely group projects completion were also proposed. A further research was also suggested on the roles of the women groups and the social organizations office in ensuring timely and successful group project’s completion. Further studies were also suggested on how rural women can be influenced to access formal education, study to determine the effects of women group projects on their livelihoods, study to investigate the effects of micro finance organizations in promoting rural women activities and finally a study to investigate the influence of women groups on their living standards.